A solar panel company has been fined £40,000 with costs of £2,000 after a worker fell through a skylight during the installation of solar panels on a farm workshop.
The Magistrates Court heard how the employee was carrying out installation work on the fragile roof when he stood onto unprotected skylight and fell about 4m onto the floor below, sustaining multiple and long-term wrist injuries.
The HSE investigation found that the company was aware of the risks from fragile surfaces and unprotected edges but failed to plan or supervise the work to ensure that access to hazardous areas such unprotected skylights was prevented. This left workers exposed to the risk of falls during their work.
The company pleaded guilty to breaching Regulation 4(1) of The Work at Height Regulations 2005.
Speaking after the hearing, the HSE inspector said: “The risks associated with fragile roofs are widely known throughout this industry. Failing to protect workers from this risk is inexcusable. Simple safety measures could have prevented this incident and the long-term injuries to the worker.”
Work at Height Regulations
Regulation 4 (1) of the Work at Height Regulations requires employers to ensure work at height is which requires employers to ensure work at height it properly planned, appropriately supervised and carried out in a safe manner and that planning includes the selection of work equipment with collective protection measures taking priority over personal protection measure.
Our Roof Walk walkway system has been designed specifically to provide a safe working platform on fragile industrial roofs and protects workers from the risks of fragile materials such as skylights. Available with single and double handrails, the walkway spreads the load of the worker(s) using it from eaves to ridge to protect against a fall and the surface below.
For more information about our Roof Walk and Industrial Fragile Roof Safety Products, click here, or call our product experts on 01767 691812.